Audit Shows All Accounts in the Black

For the first time in almost 10 years, every account in Sturtevant is in the black, trustees learned Tuesday night.

According to Village Clerk/Interim Administrator Mary Cole, village auditors completed the 2012 audit and told Cole the village is in the best financial shape of the last 10 years.

"This is really good news," she said. "The Village Board and staff members really pulled together these last few years to pull Sturtevant out of the red and into the black."

Cole credits the leadership of former Administrator Mark Janiuk as well. He is now the administrator in Caledonia. Trustee Chris Larson agrees.

"When Mark got here, the village's financial house was not in order," he said. "Mark certainly helped lead the way and we continued that path after he moved on to the opportunity in Caledonia."

The general fund has about $157,000 and that could increase to a total of $257,000 after final tallies are in sometime next month.

What this news means for residents, Cole explained, is that Sturtevant has the cash to handle emergency purchases like a new truck - which really happened one year - and to get the lowest interest rate available if there's a situation where borrowing is more appropriate, like major roads projects.

"The money we were using to pay off debts and replenish the general fund can now be used for capital projects, various improvements and to save for a rainy day," Larsen added.